# Massachusetts Lawsuit Challenges NSF Directorate Closure

A lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts challenges the Trump administration’s plan to close the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences. The directorate supports roughly two-thirds of U.S. social and behavioral science research through nearly $250 million in grants; closure could disrupt grant-funded research and related work at universities and research institutions. The report identifies no procurement solicitation or contract opportunity. For procurement and grants professionals, the issue is potential uncertainty for institutions and businesses supporting research funded through the directorate.

- Universities, research institutions, and supporting contractors can assess whether current or planned work depends on grants associated with the directorate and identify potential exposure to a closure.
- The nearly $250 million in grants represents a significant funding stream, but the signal does not establish that this funding is available as a new procurement opportunity.
- The lawsuit is pending in federal court in Massachusetts; the signal provides no decision date or grant-specific transition schedule.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts